A cluster of Geotrichum clavatum (Saprochaete clavata) infection in haematological patients: a first Italian report and review of literature
Summary
Invasive fungal infections, usually Aspergillus and Candida, represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with malignant haematological diseases, but in the last years rare fungal infections have more frequently been reported. Here, we report the clinical history of three patients affected with haematological malignancies who developed an infection caused by Geotrichum (G.) clavatum. Two out of three patients were affected by acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and one by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). All patients received cytarabine‐based chemotherapeutic regimens and developed G. clavatum infection within 3 weeks from therapy initiation. In all cases, G. clavatum was isolated from central venous catheter and peripheral blood cultures. In vitro susceptibility test confirmed an intrinsic resistance to echinocandins and, in all cases, visceral localisations (spleen, liver and lung) were documented by total body computed tomography (CT) scan. A prolonged antifungal therapy with high doses liposomal amphotericin‐B was necessary to obtain fever resolution. Only the patient with MCL died while the other two AML recovered, and one of them after received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We consecutively reviewed all published cases of infection caused by G. clavatum. Our experience and literature review indicate that G. clavatum can cause invasive infection in haematological patients, mainly in those with acute leukaemia.
Source: Mycoses - Category: Research Authors: Maria Ilaria Del Principe, Loredana Sarmati, Mariagiovanna Cefalo, Carla Fontana, Giovanna De Santis, Francesco Buccisano, Luca Maurillo, Eleonora De Bellis, Massimiliano Postorino, Giuseppe Sconocchia, Giovanni Del Poeta, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Sergio Ama Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
More News: Acute Leukemia | Acute Myeloid Leukemia | Aspergillus | Cancer & Oncology | Candida | Central Venous Catheterization | CT Scan | Fungal Infections | Leukemia | Liver | Liver Transplant | Lung Transplant | Lymphoma | PET Scan | Research | Stem Cell Therapy | Stem Cells | Transplants | Urology & Nephrology